When U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly approved the settlement among Microsoft, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the 9 states, she mandated the creation of a compliance committee as it related to the specific case brought by the DOJ. Microsoft was quick to form the compliance committee (see our previous coverage). In the matter of the 9 states against Microsoft the judge also mandated the formation of a technical committee to oversee enforcement. The committee is to be made up of an individual appointed by the DOJ and the states, another individual appointed by Microsoft, and a third individual selected by the previously appointed members.

According to court documents the DOJ and the 9 states have recommended Harry Saal. Saal is founder and CEO of Network Associates (actually, he founded Network General, which became Network Associates), and holds a doctorate (and bachelor's and master's) degree in physics from Columbia University. Microsoft has recommended former employee Franklin Fite. Fite served as director and general manager of the mobile Windows CE operating system. He holds a master's degree in computer engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor's from Vanderbilt in CompSci and EE.

The judge still must approve the appointments. Once formed, the committee will have the ability to access Microsoft code and interview Microsoft employees. The committee will also serve as an intermediary in case of disputes among Microsoft, the DOJ, and the 9 states.

BRIAN'S OPINION
It's interesting how the technical committee's membership was decided upon. It will be more interesting to see if there will be any conflict between Saal and Fite in the selection of the third committee member. In an effort to avoid future conflict I would like to throw some names out of people I believe would make an excellent candidate.

My first recommendation would be Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system. He has definitely demonstrated his knowledge in the areas of programming. It will be Microsoft's best chance to silence the growing number of its pro-Linux critics.

Another interesting candidate would be Steve Jobs. Now Steve would have to make some sacrifices first and drop his role as CEO of Apple, since Microsoft is a large shareholder. Steve nevertheless has experience in borrowing and having borrowed ideas behind a computer operating system.

Another recommendation would be Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. I am not sure of what computer experience he would bring to the table, but I believe he would be especially valuable in resolving disputes between Microsoft, the DOJ, and the states.

My final recommendation would be Simon Cowell, outspoken British American Idol judge. Again, I am not sure what computer experience he brings to the table, but his ability to publicly “undress” any young star's dream of pop stardom could be useful during interviews with Microsoft employees. He could make them sing the answers to any posed question and then tell them how much they suck.

In the end I don't think anyone I have suggested will make the list, but if someone did it sure would add some excitement to the old Microsoft anti-trust case. Perhaps Microsoft could file a motion with the judge to have the third person chosen differently. The parties could easily do a reality television show such as Survivor to choose the third committee member. Tests on Microsoft licensing could be used to eliminate some, if not all, of the candidates.

USER COMMENTS 8 comment(s)

What about me??(9:06am EST Mon Nov 25 2002)Why can't I be on the commitee?

I'll show up with my nice Thinkpad, proudly running Linux. I'll produce all my documentation with OpenOffice (in .DOC format if they insist)

Seriously, I won't to believe that this committee is a good thing, but somehow, I don't trust it. I really think that its decisions will be manipulated and watered down to where it really won't matter.

We, the consumers, must use our collective “grass-roots) initiative to change what is happening. Linux is easily accessible, easily installed, and easy to use – depite what many might think.

- by The Scavenger

The physicist(9:59am EST Mon Nov 25 2002)It's nice that they chose a physicist. As a physicist, I can attest to the fact that physicists in general tend to be very open-minded and anti-Microsoft. - by abcd

Torvalds?(11:34am EST Mon Nov 25 2002)Huge conflict of interest. Letting Torvalds have access to their code? How could he continue work on the Linux kernel after that? In any case, he is not qualified in any area except programming, and many are far more qualified than he is. He simply doesn't make sense as an ideal candidate. - by the way

A few more suggestions(11:47am EST Mon Nov 25 2002)Bart Simson, Eat my Shorts MS.Spongebob Squarepants,Astro, the dog on the Jetsons, Ro Right Reroy.Howdy Doody and Buffalo BobBozo the clown- by Withheld